Amazon affiliate links included in this post if you wish to purchase the Jenga Game mentioned.

Decimals Game Materials:

Decimals Game Printables —> Available for free at the end of this post.

Basic Directions for Playing:

The gist of the game is the students will select decimal cards and then depending on the color of the block they move, they will complete a different task with the decimal on the card.

Here are the specific student directions:

Directions: Select a decimal card. Choose a block to remove. Complete the task that matches the color of the block that you want to remove with the decimal on the card. Repeat with each turn.

And here are the tasks represented by each color:

4th Grade Version:

Purple: Write the decimal in word form.

Blue: Create/shade a model of the decimal.

Green: Select another decimal and compare the two decimals using <, >, or =.

Yellow: Write the decimal as a fraction with a denominator of 10 or 100.

Pink: Determine if the decimal is greater or less than 0.50.

Red: Plot the decimal on a number line.

5th Grade Version:

Purple: Write the decimal in word form.

Blue: Write the decimal in expanded form.

Green: Round the decimal to the nearest whole number.

Yellow: Select another decimal and find the difference between the two decimals.

Pink: Select another decimal and find the sum of the two decimals.

Red: Multiply the decimal by 3.

Tips for Playing the Jenga Decimals Game:

As the teacher you have a few options or additional rules you can implement for accountability and classroom management. Here are some tips I recommend considering.

Tip 1: Have all of the students do the work together and then move their pieces.

To ensure all of the students are working (versus one student working and the others watching), have all of the students choose their color block (or roll the dice included with the games to see what color they will have to move), choose their decimal card, and complete the required task.

After all of the students have completed their required tasks, they can then each take turns moving their piece. Then they will repeat these steps with a new decimal card, a new color, and a new task. This will keep the game moving at a quicker pace and keep all the students engaged and on task.

Tip 2: Keep your groups relatively small.

I recommend no more than four students working with a Jenga game at a time.

Tip 3: For added accountability, have the students record their work.

You can have the students use a blank piece of paper or use the recording sheet included in the free printables.

Fabulous Idea! I always love the fact that your resources and advice is so practical to use. I can always envision my students using your resources/advice when I hear your clear and concise directions. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with the world.

Welcome friends! I’m Jennifer Findley: a teacher, mother, and avid reader. I believe that with the right resources, mindset, and strategies, all students can achieve at high levels and learn to love learning. My goal is to provide resources and strategies to inspire you and help make this belief a reality for your students. Learn more about me.